Container filling machine



1943. L. w. WATERS 2,325,816

CONTAINER FILLING MACHINE Filed July 16, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet l [awrenceW WQ/e/"S BY A;

Aug. 3, 1943.

L. W. WATERS CONTAINER FILLING MACHINE Filed July 16, 1940 &

3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Lawrence W 1/1/0/6/5 1943- w. WATERS 2,325,816

CONTAINER FILLING MACHINE Filed July 16, 1940 s Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTORv Patented Aug. 3, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 12 Claims.

The invention relates to segregating and filling machinery such as usedin packing food stuff and relates more particularly to can fillingmachines adapted to operate upon fruit to be canned.

An object of the present invention is to provide a filling machine ofthe character described which will automatically and positively feed apredetermined constant number of pieces of fruit or the like into a canor other receiver and which will properly position the pieces in thecontainer for most emcient packing.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine of the characterabove which will be adjustable to accommodate pieces of fruit or thelike of difierent sizes and types and which may be used with eitherhalved or whole fruit.

A further object of the invention is to provide a can filling machine ofthe character set forth which is sturdy and compact in design andpositive and relatively simple in its operation.

The invention possesses other objects and features of advantage, some ofwhich, with the foregoing, will be set forth in the followingdescription of the preferred form of the invention which is illustratedin the drawings accompanying and forming part of the specification. Itis to be understood, however, that variations in the showin may beadopted within the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims.

Referring to said drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a can filling machine constructed inaccordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the machine illustrated in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an enlarged plan sectional view of a part of the machine andtaken substantially on the plane of line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken substantially onthe plane of line 4-4 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a cross sectional view of a portion of the machineillustrated in Figure 4 and is taken substantially on the plane of line5-5 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a cross sectional view of a portion of the machineillustrated in Figure 4 and is taken substantially on the plane of line66 of Figure 1.

The filling machine of the present invention consists briefly of thecombination of a movable conveyor for supporting a plurality of piecesof fruit or the like in side-by-side relation and a second set ofconveyors which intersect the first conveyor and which are adapted toremove the fruit pieces therefrom and to advance such pieces along thesecond conveyors at a predetermined rate of speed and a predeterminedspacing between the pieces. With this combination a can conveyor may beused which is mounted to support a plurality of open top cans formovement into and out of registration with the discharge ends of thesecond conveyors for deposit of the pieces therein, and means fordriving the second conveyors and the can conveyor at synchronized speedsso as to deposit a predetermined whole number of pieces in the cans uponregistration thereof with the discharge ends of the second conveyors.

With more specific reference to the accompanying drawings, the machineherein depicted is assembled on a supporting structure 6, including atop frame 1 and a series of uprights 8 supporting the frame in elevatedposition. Supported for movement longitudinally across the supportingstructure and below the top frame 1 is a conveyor for the pieces offruit or the like to be packed, and in the present construction theconveyor comprises a relatively broad endless belt 9 which extends froma fruit hopper, not shown but positioned to the left of the can fillingmachine as viewed in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings. present machinehas been particularly designed for the packing of halved fruit such ashalved peaches, apricots or the like, but as will be understood themachine may be used for handling other forms and types of food stuif orthe like. In the present case the halved fruit is fed onto the conveyor9 with the fruit halves uniformly turned cup down and arranged on thebelt in side-by-side relation across and longitudinally of the belt.Intersecting the belt 9 are a plurality of conveyors ll, l2, [3, I4, l6,l1, l8 and I9 which have their receiving ends on the belt 9 at spacedpositions across the width of the belt so as to remove longitudinaltrains of halved fruit and in the present instance, to convey this fruitat a predetermined rate and spacing of the fruit to a can conveyor 2|associated with the discharge ends of the conveyors I Il 9. Whilevarious forms of conveyors might be used in the instance of conveyorsll-l9, in order to provide a positive predetermined rate of flow andspacing of the fruit pieces, I prefer to use a screw type of conveyor,such as here illustrated, The screw conveyors ||l9 are supported on aplurality of shafts 22, 23, 24, 26, 21, 28, 29 and 3| which are mountedin substantially parallel relation having their axes, in the presentinstance, extending at substantially right angles to the longitudinalaxis of the conveyor 9. Connected to each of the shafts 22--3l, as byspoke arms 32, are helical The spiral members 33, 34, 36, 31, 38, 39, 4|and 42 which rotate with the shafts 22--3| and are supported with theirunder surface adjacent to the top surface of the belt 9, see Figures 4,5 and 6, so as to engage and displace halved fruit coming in contacttherewith. The shafts 223| and the helical members 33-42 successivelyvary in length so that the receiving ends of the conveyors are arrangeddiagonally across the width of the belt, see Figure 1, while theopposite discharge ends of the conveyors are in substantial alignmentparallel to the edge of the belt 9. By reason of the staggeredtransversely spaced relation of the receiving ends of the conveyors,each of the conveyor ends receives and removes from the conveyor 9 allof the fruit halves lying upon a corresponding element of width of theconveyor 9, and the receiving ends of the conveyors ||-|9 thus removefruit from the conveyor 9 in the form of longitudinal trains of fruithalves. Mounted at the receiving end of each of the conveyors ||-|9 area plurality of vertical end plates 43, 44, 46, 41, 48, 49, 5|, and. 52which are fixedly supported relative to the belt and serve as guides fordirecting the halved fruit into the receiving end portion of theconveyors. As will be clear from Figure 1, a receiving pocket is definedbetween each adjacent pair of end plates 43-52 and fruit entering thesepockets is automatically directed into the receiving ends of the screwconveyors. for further assisting the guiding "ofthe fruit halves intothe aforementioned pockets preventing the fruit from gathering at thelongi tudinal ends of the plates 43-52. As here shown, such means isprovided in the form of a plurality of cam-shapeddiscs 53 which aresecured for rotation on theends of the shafts 22 3| in substantialalignment with the adjacent end plates 4352, and upon rotation presentan oscillating periphery to the oncoming fruit halves so as to directthe same to the opposite sides of the disc, thereby clearing the plates43--52 and moving directly into the aforementioned pockets.

On the opposite ends of the shafts 22-3| are sprocket wheels 54, 56, 51,58, 59, SI, 62 and 63 which are engaged and driven in unison by a rollerchain 64 supported on the opposite ends of the frame on sprocket wheels66 and 61. During operation of the machine, as will be understood, thefruit halves move with the conveyor 9 into the receiving ends of thescrew conveyors |||9 where the same are engaged and disposed laterallyacross the belt to the discharge ends of the conveyor. Stop members 68,89, 1|, (2, 13, I4, 19 and 11 are mounted transversely across the belt 9and provide a stop for the movement of the halved fruits longitudinallyof the belt while the same are contained within the screw conveyors||--|9. Preferably, in order to accommodate the machine to various sizesof fruit, the members 68-" are adjustably supported for longitudinalmovement to and from the screw whereby large and small fruit halves andother pieces may be confined within the convolutions of the screw. Ashere shown the stop members 68-11 are supported at their inner ends inelongated slots 18 provided in the end plates 43-52 and are adjustablysecured for movement in the slots by means of nuts 19 threaded onto theinner ends of the member 68. The opposite outer ends of the stop members68-17 are similarly mounted in elongated horizontal slots 8| formed invertical supports 82 depending from supporting members 83 used forPreferably means is provided the journaling of the outer ends of theshafts 22-3l. Thus by adjustment of the opposite ends of the stopmembers 68-" in the elongated slots provided in the end supports forthese' members, the stop members may be moved and secured in place inrelative longitudinal positions to and from the screw conveyors I 9.

The foregoing portion of the machine with or without the co-related canor container feeding mechanism forms an important part of the presentinvention and may be used for a variety of purposes wherever it isdesirable to feed the pieces in single file at a predetermined rate andspacing between the pieces. The pieces may be fed from the dischargeends of the conveyors |||9 to a slicing machine, an inspection table,conveyor or the like. In the present machine the sorting and feedingmechanism described in the foregoing is combined with a can feedingmechanism so that a predetermined number of fruit pieces will bedeposited in cans or other containers moved into receiving positions atthe discharge ends of the conveyors ||--|9. The can conveyor 2| in thepresent construction is in the form of a horizontal elongated endlessbelt such as best seen in Figures 2 and 4, and is here supported at theopposite ends of the supporting frame 6 on drums 84 and 86 so that theupper flight of the belt is mounted below the plane of the belt conveyorlfand somewhat inwardly spaced from the inneredge 81 of, the belt 9, see

c Figure 4. Thus halved fruit displaced. transversely across the belt 8will fall from. the inner edge 81 of the belt a downwardly and in thedirection of the can conveyor 2|.

Cans are fed onto the conveyor 2| from the left end of the device, asviewed in Figure 1, from an auxiliary can chute 88, and the filled cansare removed from the conveyor 2| adjacent to the right-hand end of themachine, as viewed in Figure 1, by means of a diverting can chute 89. Aplurality of rollers or wheels 9| are mounted along one transverse edge92 of the belt 2| for engaging the periphery of the cans at the basethereof for holding the cans for movement with the belt. The rollers, aswill be seen in Figure 4, are mounted on a vertical center bolt 93 so asto support the rollers for rotation in a horizontal plane parallel tothe top of the conveyor 2|. Preferably, the rollers 9| are formed withan annular base flange or lip 94 which engages under the can andelevates the same slightly from the underlying belt so as to permitrotative displacement of the cans with minimum friction. As an importantfeature of the present construction such rotation of the can ispurposefully effected during movement of the cans between the dischargeends of the screw conveyors so as to present the can in successivelyrotated positions for receipt of halved fruit from the successivedischarge ends of the screw conveyors. This feature is of particularimportance in the packing of halved fruit as it insures the completefilling of the can with the fruit and the stacking of the halved fruitin the can in a staggered verticalarrangement, as will be seen in Figure3, thereby insuring the packing of a maximum amount of fruit in thecans. The turning or rotating of the cans while movement thereof alongthe can conveyor 2| is here effected by the positioning of a pluralityof longitudinally spaced pads 96 along the outer edge 91 of the canconveyor so that the pads 96 will engage the outer periphery of the canscarried on the conveyors and cooperate with the rollers 9| to effect apartial rotation of the cans. Preferably, the pads 96 are formed of asoft compressible material such as live rubber or the like, and as willbe clear, the length of the pad, that is parallel to the movement of thecan, will determine the amount of rotation given to the can. If desired,the pads 96 may be provided in the form of a continuous strip ofmaterial along the edge of the conveyors.

As will be best seen from Figures 2 and 4, the

cans are carried on the conveyor 2I in an upright position of the cans,that is with the open top of the can uppermost, and thus the cans arecaused to pass undei and in registration with the discharge ends of thescrew conveyors for receipt of the halved fruit therefrom. Preferablythe can is positioned in transversely offset position from the inneredge 81 of the belt conveyor 9, and the halved fruit is supported formovement from the inner edge 81 of the belt into the open top of the canby means of a plurality of chutes 98, mounted in an inclined fashionfrom the inner edge 81 of the belt 9 to the rim of the can top. As hereshown, these chutes 98 are supported on the stop members 68'Il, and asan important feature of their support, the chutes are permitted asubstantial adjustment of their pitch, that is the inclination of thechute between the top rim of the can and the inner edge of the belt 9.As here best shown in Figures 3 and 4, the inner upper end of the chutesis pivoted to the transverse stop member by a pin or screw IOI, whilethe opposite outer end I02 of the chute is provided with an arcuate slotI03 which receives a fastening pin or screw I04 carried by thetransverse stop member. As will be understood, the shifting of the slotI03 relative to the pin I04 produces the desired adjustment of pitch ofthe chutes. Preferably, the fruit supporting surface of the chutes iscorrugated, with the corrugations running lengthwise to the movement ofthe fruit thereover, so as to reduce the frictional resistance tomovement of the fruit thereover.

As an important feature of the present machine, the screw conveyors III9are driven in synchronism with the movement of the can conveyor 2I sothat a predetermined whole number of fruit halves will be deposited inthe cans during its period of registration with the discharge end ofeach of the screw conveyors. The relative timing of these conveyors maybe set so as to deposit any number of fruit halves or other fruit piecesinto the cans. In the arrangement here shown, however, a single fruitpiece is discharged from each of the screw conveyors into each of thecans passing by the discharge end of the conveyor. To accomplish thisresult, the conveyors III9 are each rotated one revolution while the canconveyor 2I moves a distance equal to the longitudinal distance betweenthe discharge ends of the screw conveyors. This synchronous drive ishere effected by connecting the shaft I04 of sprocket 61 with shaft I06of drum 86. As will be best seen in Figures 1 and 2, a sprocket wheel I!is mounted on the forward end of shaft I04 and is connected by means ofa chain I08 with a sprocket I09 fixed to the forward end of shaft I06.In the present machine, shaft I06 is used as the main power shaft and ispreferably connected to the source of power such as the motor III. Aclutch mechanism H2 is preferably inserted in the drive between themotor III and the shaft I06, in order to permit a stopping and startingof the screw conveyors and the can conveyor at the will of the operatorand while the fruit conveyor 9 remains in motion. This is a desirablefeature inasmuch as it allows the operator to coordinate the can fillingmechanism with varying rates of supply of pieces to be packed.Preferably, a clutch control lever arm H3 is positioned at the side ofthe mechanism for ready engagement and operation by the operator of themachine. Preferably, the direction of rotation of the screw conveyorsII'-I9 is contrawise to the movement of the belt 9 so that the bottomportions of the screw conveyor move in a direction opposite to thedirection of movement of the belt 9. This relationship is best seen inFigure 6 of the drawings, and provides a desirable lifting action on thehalved fruit moving through the conveyor.

It will now be understood that in the operation of the device, thehalved fruit, although indiscriminately arranged on the belt conveyor 9,is taken off of the conveyor in an orderly singlefile fashion with thefruit halves moving at a predetermined rate and spacing. This positivepredetermination of the feeding of the peach halves by the screwconveyor in combination with the positive predetermination of themovement of the cans, insures an automatic and positivefilling of thecans with a uniform and unvarying count of halved fruit. It will furtherbe clear that the positioning of the screw conveyors across the entirebreadth of the belt 9 insures a complete removal of the halved fruitfrom the belt. In this connection it will be noted that the number ofscrew conveyors is optional and will vary with the breadth of the belt.Preferably where halved fruit is to be packed, fruit halves aredeposited upon the conveyor 9 with the cup faces of the fruit down onthe belt. This positioning of the halved fruit may be obtained byvarious machines used in the canning art. While in the presentconstruction the screw conveyors are mounted with their receiving endsin a diagonal arrangement across the width of the belt 9 and with theiraxes at substantially right angles to the length of the belt, it will beunderstood that the screw conveyors may be otherwise positioned with adifferent angularity relative to the belt and with their receiving endsspaced differently across the width of the belt.

It will be understood that while I have explained my invention inconnection with an apparatus for filling cans, it will be obvious thatthe invention is applicable for use with other forms of containers, andthe word can as used herein is intended to embrace all types ofreceivers with which the present invention may be used.

I claim:

1. A can filling machine for packing a predetermined number cf pieces offruit or the like into a can comprising, a relatively bro-ad movableconveyor for supporting a plurality of said pieces in side-by-siderelation across and longitudinally of said conveyor, a plurality ofconveyors connecting with said first conveyor and having their receivingends spaced transversely across said first conveyor to removelongitudinal trains of said pieces on said first conveyor, said secondnamed conveyors being arranged and driven to advance said pieces alongsaid second conveyors at a predetermined rate and spacing, a canconveyor mounted to support a plurality of open top cans for movementinto and out of registration with the discharge ends of said secondconveyors, and means for driving said second conveyors and said canconveyor at synchronized speeds to deposit a predetermined whole numberof said pieces into said cans during period of registration of the canswith each discharge end of said second conveyors.

2. A can filling machine for packing a predetermined number of pieces offruit or the like into wan comprising, a relatively broad movableconveyor for supporting a plurality of said pieces in side-by-siderelation across and longitudinally of said conveyor, a plurality ofconveyors connecting with said first conveyor and having their receivingends spaced transversely across said first conveyor to removelongitudinal trains of said pieces on said first conveyor, said secondnamed conveyors being arranged and driven to advance said pieces alongsaid second conveyors at a predetermined rate and spacing, a canconveyor mounted to support a plurality of open top cans for movementinto and out of registration with the discharge ends of said secondconveyors, means for driving said second conveyors and said can conveyorat synchronized speeds to deposit a predetermined whole number of saidpieces into said cans during period of registration of the cans witheach discharge end of said second conveyors, and means for rotating saidcans during movement thereof between the discharge ends of said secondconveyors.

A 3. A can filling machine for packing a predetermined number oi. piecesof fruit or the like in a can comprising, a movable conveyor forsupporting a plurality of said pieces in side-byside relation, a screwconveyor intersecting said first conveyor and adapted to remove piecestherefrom and to advance said pieces along said screw conveyor at apredetermined rate and spacing, a can conveyor mounted to support aplurality of open top cans for movement into registration with and passthe discharge end of said screw conveyor for deposit of said pieces fromsaid screw conveyor into said cans, and means for rotating said screwconveyor at a synchronized speed relative to the movement of said canconveyor to deposit a whole number of said pieces into said cans duringperiod of registration thereof with the discharge end of said screwconveyor.

4. A machine for packing a predetermined number of pieces of fruit orthe like into a can comprising, a movable belt conveyor for supporting aplurality of said pieces, a screw conveyor having a receiving endoverlying said belt conveyor and adapted to remove said pieces therefromand to advance said pieces at a predetermined rate and spacing alongsaid screw conveyor, a can conveyor mounted-to support a plurality ofopen top cans for movement past the discharge end of said screw conveyorfor deposit of said pieces into said cans, means for rotating said screwconveyor at a synchronized speed relative to the movement of said canconveyor, said last named means rotating said screw conveyor to move theadjacent faces of said screw conveyor and belt conveyor in oppositedirections.

5. A machine for packing a predetermined number of pieces of fruit orthe like into a can comprising, amovable belt conveyor for supporting aplurality of said pieces, a plurality of screw conveyors havingreceiving ends overlying said belt conveyor at positions spacedtransversely across said belt conveyor for receipt of longitudinaltrains of said pieces, a can conveyor mounted to support a plurality ofopen top cans for movement into and out of registration with thedischarge ends of said screw conveyors, and means for rotating saidscrew conveyors at a synchronized speed relative to the movement of saidcan conveyor to deposit a whole number of said pieces into said cansduring period of registration thereof with said screw conveyors.

6. A can filling" machine for packing a predetermined number of piecesof fruit or the like into a can comprising, a relatively broad movableconveyor for supporting a plurality of said pieces in side-by-siderelation across and longitudinally of said conveyor, a plurality ofsecond conveyors mounted in substantially parallel relation atsubstantially right angles to the longitudinal movement of said firstconveyor and having their receiving ends overlying said first conveyorin spaced pmitions transversely and diagonally across said firstconveyor so as to receive and remove from said first conveyorlongitudinal trains of said pieces, said last named conveyors beingarranged and driven to advance said pieces therealong at predeterminedrate and spacing and a can conveyor mounted to support a plurality ofopen top cans and movable past the discharge ends of said secondconveyors, and means for moving said second conveyors and can conveyorin synchronism to deposit, a whole number of said pieces from saidsecond conveyors into said cans.

'7. A can filling machine for packing a pre-- determined number ofpieces of fruit or the like into a can comprising, a relatively broadmovable conveyor for supporting a plurality of said pieces inside-by-side relation across and longitudinally of said conveyor, aplurality of elongated screw members mounted in substantially parallelrela tion overlying said first conveyor with the iongitudinal axes ofsaid members at substantially right angles to said first conveyor andwith the receiving ends of said members spaced'uniformly across thetransverse dimension of said first conveyor in a diagonal fashionwhereby said receiving ends will remove from said first conveyorparallel longitudinal trains of said pieces, the opposite discharge endsof Said members terminating in substantial alignment, 9. can conveyorfor supporting a plurality of open top cans mounted under and alignedwith the discharge ends of said members for moving a plurality of cansinto vertical alignment with said discharge ends for receipt of saidpieces therefrom, and means for rotating said screw members at asynchronized speed relative to the movement of said can conveyor.

8. A can filling machine for packing a predetermined number of pieces offruit or the like into cans comprising, a belt conveyor for supportingand moving a plurality of said pieces, a second conveyor overlying saidbelt conveyor for receiving said pieces and displacing said piecestransversely across said belt, stop means mounted adjacent said secondconveyor to hold said pieces in said second conveyor, and a can conveyorfor supporting a plurality of open top cans and moving said cans intoregistration with the discharge end of said second conveyor, means fordriving said second conveyor and said can conveyor at synchronizedspeeds, and means to interrupt the movement of said second and canconveyors relative to said first conveyor.

9. A can filling machine of the character set forth in claim 8 whereinthe said stop means is adjustably supported for movement longitudinallyof said belt to and from said second conveyor to accommodate pieces ofdifferent sizes.

10. A machine for packing a predetermined number of pieces of fruit orthe like into a can comprising, a movable belt conveyor for supporting aplurality of said pieces, a plurality of screw conveyors havingreceiving ends overlying said belt conveyor at positions spacedtransversely across said belt conveyor for receipt of longitudinaltrains of said pieces, means carried by and rotatable with the receivingends of said screw conveyors positioned upon said belt conveyor forsupporting the pieces on said conveyor into longitudinal trains formovement into said receiving ends. a can conveyor mounted to support aplurality of open top cans for movement into and out of registrationwith the discharge ends of said screw conveyors, and means for rotatingsaid screw conveyors at a synchronized speed relative to the movement ofsaid can-com veyor to deposit a whole number of said pieces into saidcans during period of registration thereof with said screw conveyors.

11. A can filling machine of the character described comprising, arelatively broad belt conveyor adapted for the support and movement of aplurality of pieces of fruit or the like arranged in side-by-siderelation across and longitudinally on said belt conveyor, a plurality ofsecond conveyors intersecting said belt conveyor and adapted to removesaid pieces therefrom and to advance said pieces along said secondconveyors at a predetermined rate and spacing, a can conveyor comprisingan endless belt member mounted below the discharge ends of said secondconveyors and arranged to suppo t a plurality of open top cans formovement across said discharge ends, means for driving said secondconveyors in synchronism with said can conveyor a plurality of rollerscarried by said can conveyor belt for spacing of cans therebetween andholding said cans for movement on said belt, and stationary meansmounted alongside of said belt and engaging a portion of said cans tocause rotation thereof during movement between the discharge secondconveyors and arranged to support a pluiality of open top cans formovement across said discharge ends, means for driving said secondconveyor in synchronism with said can conveyor a plurality of rollerscarried by said can conveyor belt for spacing of cans therebetween andholding said cans for movement on said belt, and a plurality of membersformed of a soft compressible material mounted adjacent .to and alongsaid belt and positioned to engage a peripheral part of said cans uponmovement of the latter on said belt'to produce rotative displacement ofsaid cans during movement of the latter between the discharge ends ofsaid second conveyors.

LAWRENCE W. WATERS.

